“What are my orders, Sir?” he asked, when I finally stopped staring him in the eyes and let go of his arm.
A smile slowly grew across my face. I had just come up with the perfect job for this man. It was time to change tacks and see about keeping my friends close and my enemies—or potential enemies, I thought, as I gave him a pointed look—as far away from me as humanly possible.
“I need your ships to escort the Dungeon Ship, and as many merchant freighters as we can beg, borrow, or hire on a tour of the Border,” I replied.
“A tour, Admiral?” Druid asked, looking slightly put out.
“We’ll send any of your people that don’t want to be here back to Central. Meanwhile, the rest of you will be on a combined Roving Patrol and Recruiting Drive,” I explained with growing satisfaction. This way he could patrol the border like he claimed was all he wanted—and he stayed as physically far away as it was possible while occupying the same Sector.
“As you order, Admiral Montagne,” Druid replied, inclining his head.
“Oh, and Druid, as this is an at will organization,”’ I said mildly, “you can keep on the Sector Guard uniforms.” In my own mind, I figured having the Sector Guard show up alongside and in support of my Confederation recruiting drive, would not only poke a big fat finger in the eye of Sir Isaac, Rear Admiral Yagar and all the politicians at Central; it would also make it more difficult for the more restive Governors and Magistrates of the Border worlds—those same individuals who hated my guts—to refuse to let their people vote with their feet.
From the look in his eyes, and the disquieted expression on his face, I could tell that Commodore Druid was following a significant portion of my thoughts…and he didn’t seem to like them very much.
“As you wish, Sir,” he said finally.
“Exactly,” I replied, leaning back and steepling my fingers. “Exactly.”
Admiral's Trial (A Spineward Sectors Novel:) Page 43
